A poignant film directed by Ava DuVernay, Selma chronicles the life of Martin Luther King Jr., narrowing in on the turbulent three-month period in 1965 when he led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

David Oyelowo (pronounced – “oh-yell-oh-oh”), nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor for his portrayal of Dr. King, says he is “honored” to star in the first major motion picture about the civil rights leader.

Oyelowo’s journey to play Dr. King began in 2000 when he performed as another king— King Henry VI in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s staging of the famed play by the same name.

Watch the video interview above to learn more about the actor’s career and Selma‘s behind-the-scenes stories with the film’s producer Oprah Winfrey and director Ava DuVernay.